Creature Cartel: Interview with Tori Fox

What makes Star Wars design so memorable is the subtle details within it. From the exotic variety of galactic currency to the instantly recognizable character styles—Creature Cartel creator Tori Fox is able to capture those iconic details into beautiful accessories.

Star Wars has always been a fact for Fox, and attending Star Wars Weekends at Walt Disney World solidified her love for a galaxy far, far away. “It was there that I realized how much of a community Star Wars was. Being able to see costumes up close and meet those who worked on the franchise really sparked my passion for the behind the scenes aspect of it,” Fox said in an interview with TatooineTimes.com.

A spark lit the fire of Fox’s imagination—and while immersed with inspiration from the Star Wars community, Creature Cartel was born.

“Creature Cartel was a happy accident! I made my first product, Padmé’s japor snippet, as gifts for friends at Star Wars Celebration Chicago. I had so many people express interest that I made my Etsy storefront to sell a few. The unpredictability of this year propelled me into pursuing the shop full time,” Fox said.

For every beautiful creation, there is always a fascinating development process behind it. Fox shares hers—from researching Star Wars reference books to the finishing touches of brush strokes.

“My creative process largely begins with reference books. I have nearly every visual dictionary along with some art books … I spend a lot of free time looking at them. I gain inspiration from the details that make a character noticeable and iconic. From there I either sculpt or 3D print a piece, make a mold of it, and then cast it. Depending on the product there also may be some painting involved.”

Each Star Wars-inspired piece has different levels of complexity. Fox admits that her most challenging piece to date is the Qi’ra necklace.

“It’s a unique construction, and getting the 3D print file just right was important. I’ve also undergone a lot of growth with the piece, changing up what it was composed of over time to make it easier to produce and more durable. There were many trials and tribulations to get it where it is today.”

Among the many Creature Cartel creations, Fox shares her absolute favorite: the Satine Kryze inspired earrings—part of a collaboration with her friends Savanna (The Dorky Diva) and Alyssa (Whimsy Design & Illustration), namely Celestial Sisters.

“They made an incredible t-shirt to accompany the earrings … working with them was so very special. I love how the colors turned out! There’s a lot of sentimentality there too since Satine is one of my favorite characters.”

Fox teased a couple of exciting projects lying ahead of Creature Cartel, including new pieces inspired by The Mandalorian and another Celestial Sisters collaboration with The Dorky Diva and Whimsy Design & Illustration. Are you intrigued? Then make sure to follow Creature Cartel on Instagram and Twitter, and most importantly check out the Etsy shop to find your favorite Star Wars-inspired accessory.